A NEW athletics training track was opened at Trowbridge Rugby Club on Sunday with the hope of encouraging people of all ages to take up running.

The ceremonial ribbon was cut by Great British Olympian Danny Talbot, who also participated in various activities throughout the day.

Trowbridge Rugby Club and Avon Valley Runners worked on this facility as a joint project, help was also provided by supermarket giants Asda.

The track itself winds around one of the rugby pitches, forming an unconventional shape. It measures 400m, is floodlit and made of an all-weather surface, rendering it functional all year around.

After the cutting of the ribbon, the first races started. 18 of Avon Valley Runners elite (9 men and 9 women) took part in a 50 x 100m relay (5000m) in an attempt to break Mo Farah’s and Paula Radcliffe’s British records. The men smashed the record and even broke the world record while doing so. The women also broke the British record.

Following the 50 x 100m relays came the 4x100m relays; male, female and mixed gender. Medals and prizes were given out to the winners of each category.

Sean Price, the event co-coordinator, said: “The track is a great benefit to both Avon Valley Runners and Trowbridge Rugby Club, and also to the community.”

There were smiles all around at the public event as everyone was encouraged to participate, whatever their age. The track opening proved to be successful and was certainly an entertaining sight to behold.

By Isaac Garg